Former President Jimmy Carter just says no to Southern Baptist Convention's second-class treatment of women.

http://www.politicsdaily.com/2009/07/20/jimmy-carter-leaves-church-over-treatment-of-women/?icid=main|htmlws-main|dl1|link3|http%3A%2F%2Fwww.politicsdaily.com%2F2009%2F07%2F20%2Fjimmy-carter-leaves-church-over-treatment-of-women%2F

Although I didn't grow up Southern Baptist, I lived in a part of Texas where the church was quite prominent. And the church's eternal conservatism (no smoking, no drinking, no dancing because of "gyrations of the body") and literal-mindedness did cast a shadow over life in an increasingly strait-laced Wichita Falls, Texas during my college years.

One wishes Carter had made his break in the 1980s--when Southern Baptists such as Dr. W.A. Criswell, the pastor of a huge Dallas church, were quite prominent (a documentary called THY KINGDOM COME, THY WILL BE DONE featured Criswell) even on the national stage.

But maybe in the year 2009, Carter speaking up for oppressed women will inspire more Southern Baptist women to keep the conversation going--even when the Southern Baptist Convention decides to continue doing the same old things in the same old ways.

Thumbs up for President Obama's high-speed rail plan.

It's a right-wing talking point to dismiss Barack Obama's Presidency by comparing it to Jimmy Carter's one term in office.

But, among his lasting achievements (such as the Israel/Egypt peace talks), Carter (and his then-Transportation Secretary Brock Adams) managed to decrease support for the Amtrak rail system.

This is why Obama's support for high-speed rail as an alternative mode of transportation is a welcome change of approach: http://www.dailyfinance.com/2009/04/18/obamas-rail-plan-speeds-ahead/

Bill Clinton just can't let go: re Bill Richardson's support of Obama.

I have enough of a memory to recall a ROLLING STONE cover story from the spring of 1980 about Ted Kennedy's campaign for the Democratic presidential nomination. The article's subtitle was: His fight to dump Carter and restore hope.

Seeing this article about Bill Clinton's continuing anger at New Mexico governor Bill Richardson for the latter's support of Barack Obama, it's safe to imagine a 2012 Hillary-vs.-Barack rematch, no matter how Obama's first term works out: http://news.aol.com/elections/article/clinton-still-angry-at-richardson